Description
A comforting and quick-to-make Italian-inspired Pastina Soup featuring tiny pasta pearls simmered in flavorful vegetable broth with sautéed onions, garlic, and carrots, finished with fresh parsley and Pecorino Romano cheese. Perfect for a light meal or soothing starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup diced carrots
Pasta
- 1 cup pastina pasta
Finishing Touches
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes, to develop a flavorful base for the soup.
- Add Carrots and Garlic: Stir in the diced carrots and minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and carrots begin to soften.
- Simmer Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Cook Pastina: Add the pastina pasta and cook it according to the package instructions, usually 3 to 5 minutes, until al dente; stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Season and Garnish: Season the soup with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley just before serving for a burst of freshness.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each serving with grated Pecorino Romano cheese for a rich, savory finish that melts slightly into the warm broth.
Notes
- Pastina cooks quickly; keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking and becoming mushy.
- You can substitute Pecorino Romano with Parmesan cheese if preferred.
- For added protein, consider stirring in cooked shredded chicken or beans.
- This soup is naturally vegetarian; to make vegan, omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Low-sodium broth helps control salt content; adjust salt seasoning accordingly.
- Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can be added for varied flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
